New Laptop.

[JohnP]

I've been trying to make up my mind what laptop to buy, my old one is on XP home edition as is my PC. I can't stand glossy screens so this limits my choice. Also I'm not sure whether to get a Windows 7 or 8 model, I've a feeling that Windows 8 might be too far away from XP which I'm obviously used to and I don't want to tax my elderly brain too much. I don't want anything larger than 15" and I want as good a screen as is available in matte. I can afford to spend up to around £800 and maybe a bit more. Samsung seem to do quite a few laptops with matte screens... any advice anyone?

[Guest DaveW]

I'm running Windows 7 64bit at the moment, which is probably the last of the old style Windows since 8 seems to be aimed at touch screens as much as desk or laptops because we are told tablets are taking over from conventional PC's. However from the new laptop/tablet convertibles that seem to be coming from Lenovo and Microsoft the tablet seems to be morphing back into a convertible tablet/laptop once again for more serious computing than just surfing the Web, where a proper keyboard is desirable. If you are getting a new machine go for 64 bit Windows if you can as 32bit is eventually on it's way out and you can't just upgrade from 32bit to 64bit without a clean install, which is far more trouble:-

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/software/106237/microsoft-windows-7-review/

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/windows/3284198/microsoft-windows-8-review/

However you may not have long to get a Windows 7 model if you want one because all new machines very quickly are sold with the latest Windows version on them, which will be 8.

http://blogs.which.co.uk/technology/computing/best-matte-screen-laptops-from-the-which-test-lab/

http://www.tlbhd.com/netbooks-and-mini-laptops-with-a-matte-screen-4541/

DaveW

[JohnP]

I've been looking at this laptop... anyone care to comment.

http://www.ebuyer.com/411501-samsung-700z5c-laptop-np700z5c-a01dx

[Black Pearl]

Built in graphics and it doesn't have a full HD screen?

Bare with me while I go hunt.....

[Black Pearl]

Core i7

Massive NVIDIA Graphics

Full HD

Bit more but you might get a trade-in.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/asus-n56vz-s4242-15-6-laptop-17056513-pdt.html

[JohnP]

Robin... I'm a bit concerned full HD is going to make text very small and also I'm not very keen to have Windows 8, I'm still using XP at the moment, I feel that 7 will be less of a jump into the unknown. I'm not as young as you and it takes me longer to learn. I also want a matt screen, I can't stand glossy screens.

Edited December 13, 2012 by JohnP

[Black Pearl]

Shouldn't make it too small and it will make Photoshop etc sing as you'll get extra image space.

Windows 8 is here to stay and to be fair if you just need it to switch on and off then run a few programmes it doesn't really matter what OS you use. Its when you start to fiddle with settings that it gets confusing.

Go look at them would be my advice as the overall build, keyboard feel, trackpad etc is important but the spec of your first one looks light for the money.

I'd definitely want dedicated graphics for photography and if you're going to keep it years the fastest chip going will help it run future programmes which will get heavier and heavier.

Robin

[Guest DaveW]

See:-

http://whatlaptop.techradar.com/2012/05/the-best-laptops-for-photography/

http://www.squidoo.com/best-photo-editing-laptop

http://engineerspride.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/top-5-best-laptop-for-photographers.html

http://www.reviewgist.com/best-notebook-photographers

Then have a look at them and decide for yourself!

DaveW

[JohnP]

I finally made up my mind and got a Samsung 700Z5C Laptop and I'm really chuffed with it and I seem to have taken to Windows 7 like a duck to water. I'm still putting all my stuff onto it, with a 1TB hard drive I don't think it will be filled to capacity for quite a while...

[Guest DaveW]

The only real difference I found with the various Windows from XP to 7 was needing different e-mail and Internet Explorer versions. If you want these you have to download from Microsoft's site as I guess the EU stopped them including them in 7, as they used to do in the past with earlier Windows, for competition reasons as other competing software is available..

http://windows.micro.../features/email

DaveW

Edited December 21, 2012 by DaveW

[annie]

i must say i have been very happy with 7..... but i would love 8..!

[colinb]

sorry its a bit late but for the benefit of others... I would have said check any lap top has dedicate graphics if you are planning on using photography/ editing software

Edited December 21, 2012 by colinb

[Phil]

but i would love 8..!

£24.99 to upgrade, not pricey but then not as cheap as an Apple upgrade! Just installed it on one of our laptops (yes Kev, that one) and it's completely different to what I'm used to, it's gonna take some playing with before I risk installing it on my own comp.

[annie]

£24.99 to upgrade, not pricey but then not as cheap as an Apple upgrade! Just installed it on one of our laptops (yes Kev, that one) and it's completely different to what I'm used to, it's gonna take some playing with before I risk installing it on my own comp.

i have never done an up grade, where would i get it and how would i do it?

and how would i know my lappy can run it?

[colinb]

Annie to a look on windows web page, I'm not sure if they have with W8 but with other editions/up grades you have been able to download and run software to assess if your device is suitable.

hth

Colin

[Phil]

where would i get it and how would i do it? and how would i know my lappy can run it?

Colin is right, have a look Here. Click download Windows 8, it will download a small program that checks your computer and installed programs and lets you know what is and isn't compatible. You then have the option to upgrade or not, it really is quite simple I'm sure even you could manage it ;)

[annie]

Colin is right, have a look Here. Click download Windows 8, it will download a small program that checks your computer and installed programs and lets you know what is and isn't compatible. You then have the option to upgrade or not, it really is quite simple I'm sure even you could manage it You like this Unlike Quote MultiQuote

whats 39$ in real money?

[Phil]

£24.99 :)

[Phil]

You don't pay a penny until you decide you want to upgrade which is after the checks

[annie]

You don't pay a penny until you decide you want to upgrade which is after the checks

neat...thanks guys xxx

[Phil]

3 hours on and a few heart stopping moments when the comp appeared to freeze (guess who didn't back up first ) and Windows 8 successfully installed on my main comp :)

[FUJI]

If I upgrade both my Windows XP Pro PCs......one a desktop and the other a powerful Tablet..........will they still run all the software already installed......or.....will it mean going through all my old installation CDs and installing it all again......will my printer still work?

FUJI

[Phil]

The upgrade hasn't affected any of my existing files, installed programs or hardware so I see no reason why yours should be any different.

[Barbara]

Just downloaded the assistant and it seem I can only upgrade to widows 8 pro if I dump every thing but my personal files, can someone tell me what the outcome would be

[Phil]

can someone tell me what the outcome would be

Without knowing your specific set up it would be difficult I'm afraid. How old is your comp/software etc?